Media Analyst: 16 News Corp Execs Who Will Now Report To Rupert Are Too Many

Richard S. Greenfield, media analyst for Pali Research, criticizes that “streamlining definitely is needed” now that 16 News Corp execs will report to boss Rupert Murdoch and predicts a No. 2 will be hired after the departure of Peter Chernin. (Here, registration required.) “While we believe Rupert Murdoch is intimately engaged in all facets of News Corp’s businesses, taking on the added responsibilities of Mr. Chernin will be challenging. Even if Murdoch is able to consolidate/streamline the aforementioned reporting structure, we believe the company will need a second-in-command over the course of the next year.”

Greenfield noted that Murdoch in his memo yesterday acknowledged the inefficiencies at News Corp, “from systems that don’t talk to each other, to incentives that struggle to capture the opportunity and aspiration of our total group. These obstacles are obvious to us all. There will be a streamlined management structure between our Los Angeles based business units and the rest of the company.”

Greenfield expects James Murdoch’s role “to expand significantly over time, particularly as the demands on Rupert Murdoch’s time grow post-Chernin. On a side/related note, Beryl Cook is cited in Mr. Murdoch’s e-mail message as an example of the streamlining. Interestingly, Ms. Cook worked closely with James Murdoch at both BSkyB and StarTV as head of HR, and moved back to News Corp to take a similar HR role just before James Murdoch did.”

You are looking at a nice list of potential spin offs IPO’s for News Corp here.
This is like a shopping list for buyers.
That’s why Chernin left.
After assembling parts into a giant conglom the only thing left to do is profit off the pieces as they are sold off.
Who wants that?
Not as fun to run and the articles about the downsizing just piss you off as its happening.

get it right • on Feb 24, 2009 8:14 pm

Dana Walden and Gary Newman, co-chairmen at 20th Century Fox Television report directly to Chernin so add them to the new Murdoch direct report list too. Clearly Rothman and Gianopulos’ flack is working harder for them in the spin games going on. Most outlets are “reporting” that those two will be getting “expanded roles” over TV production as well. The TV production folks have been every bit as successful/profitable as the scumbags running film – plus Chernin actually likes them – and Murdoch will seek his advice on this topic.

The Battle Royale is brewing. Yeah, bloodsports!!

I Agree With Get it Right • on Feb 24, 2009 8:14 pm

I agree with “Get it Right”. Planting a story to the trades to boost your career has got to be the oldest trick in Hollywood.